A new Swap Market brought circular economy back to the Student Village

Community, Housing, Kortepohja, News, Sustainability / 9.6.2026

A new swap market has opened in the Student Village, offering an easy and communal way to give items a new life. At the swap market, residents can bring items they no longer need but that are still in good condition, and take something useful in return free of charge – reducing waste and saving money at the same time.

The opening day, held as part of the Kestävä Kylä (Sustainable Village) event, attracted a large audience, and the swap market proved to be a clear success. A lively group of students turned up, and items changed hands quickly. The atmosphere was enthusiastic and communal, which bodes well for the future of the initiative.

There have previously been recycling rooms in the Student Village, but they had to be closed due to hygiene and fire safety concerns. In the new swap market model, these challenges have been addressed with stricter guidelines: items brought into the space are checked more carefully, and not everything can be accepted anymore. The aim is to ensure the safety, cleanliness and smooth use of the space for everyone.

The swap market operates according to clear guidelines: items brought in must be clean and usable, and visitors may take what they need in reasonable amounts. More detailed instructions can be found on the Soihtu website.

Encouraged by the positive experiences, the activity will be expanded – from autumn onwards, the swap market will be open more frequently. Opening hours will continue to focus especially on busy moving periods at the turn of the month, when the need for reusing items is at its highest.